DIY - plumbing, and why it's not easy
When it comes to professional repairs done by specialists, you often wonder - "ha, I could do that myself, but now I need to pay anyway...". It is common enough way of thinking, but is it really true?
Experts in their fields make it look like it is easy, but only because they have years of experience. Because of it, they were able to deduce what the problem is quickly, and if it is easy to fix, they make it look like it's nothing. It may escape your attention, but they more often than not, use special tools when doing so.
Simple wrench and hammer are common household items, but what about thread seal tape? Or do you really want to buy whole package od putty, just to seal one small hole? These are the things that seperate experts in their fields from weekend handyman. Other than that, they are also the reasons why you call in a real plumber, once in a while.
Calling Plumber or doing it yourself?
When it comes to repairing things around the house, men often feel compelled to do it themselves, rather than spent money on overpriced expert. More often than not, it is worth the effort, but what happens when you mess with crucial installations, that you know very little about?
Broken chair or squeaky hinges are one thing, but if you mess up with your drainage or plumbing, all hell can break loose. From time to time, it is really wise to call in the plumber - you may pay more than you would want to, but not necessary more than it is worth. Especially if you would do this yourself and mess up.
Besides, do you really have all the necessary things for all the repairs? I doubt that, let alone the tools, which you may or may not have. If you buy unnecessary spare part, what will you do with it? Plumber can always use it, but he probably wouldn't make the mistake in the first place.
To sum up, it is good to do things around your house by yourself, but don't be afraid to call in the specialist from time to time.
About plumber's snake
A plumber's snake is a slender, flexible auger used to dislodge clogs in plumbing. The plumber's snake is often reserved for difficult clogs that cannot be loosened with a plunger. It is also sometimes called a toilet jack or electric eel.
Plumber's snakes have a coiled (helix-shaped) metal wire with a broader gap between the coils at the terminal end. The operator turns a crank to rotate the helix as it moves through the pipe.
If the clog is caused by a dense, but shreddable obstacle, such as tree roots or glass wool, the auger might break it up enough to enable flow. A small, lightweight obstruction might be snagged or corkscrewed by the auger, enabling the operator to pull it away. As the auger rotates, it also flails against the interior walls of the pipe, scraping off minerals and oil.
Źródło: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumber%27s_snake